Afghanistan's Taliban morality ministry has announced a law banning news media from publishing images of all living things. The law's gradual implementation is planned across the country.

Raw Story

Saiful Islam Khyber, a spokesman for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, said that the law will apply to all of Afghan society, though It's unclear whether foreign outlets must also abide by the rules.

Daily Mail

The announcement comes after the Taliban published its vice and virtue laws in August, Article 17 of which bans the publication of images of living beings.

Khyber said Taliban-run media in the provinces of Takhar, Maidan Wardak, and Kandahar have already started to comply with the law.

The Washington Post

Local journalists in Ghazni have reportedly been summoned and advised to take photos from further away and film fewer events "to get in the habit."

NDTV

Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the number of media employees in the country has allegedly dropped from 8.4K to 5.1K.

Express.co.uk

Raw Story #2780

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice spokesman, Saiful Islam Khyber, said that the law will apply to all of afghan society.

Daily Mail #5015

Khyber said government media in Takhar, Maidan Wardak, and Kandahar have been directed not to air or display pictures of anything with a soul.

The Washington Post #

NDTV #

Express.co.uk #

The photography ban is a must to align media practices with Islamic law and preserve cultural values. Gradual implementation allows for a smooth transition and ensures compliance without coercion. This approach demonstrates the Taliban's commitment to upholding religious principles while maintaining societal order.

Tolonews

Tolonews #

Afghanistan 19043

The ban on photographs of living things severely restricts press freedom and artistic expression. It further limits the already dwindling media landscape in Afghanistan and disproportionately affects women in the industry. This move is part of a broader pattern of oppressive measures that violate human rights and hinder progress in the country.

Independent

Independent #

Taliban media forced to stop showing images of ‘living beings’ under strict new laws

There's a 10% chance that the US will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

US recognize Taliban government by 2030

WAKIL KOHSAR/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things

Media

Afghanistan

Freedom of press

The ban on photographs of living things severely restricts press freedom and artistic expression and further limits the already dwindling media landscape in Afghanistan. This move is part of a broader pattern of oppressive measures that violate human rights, disproportionately affect women, and hinder progress in the country.

The photography ban aligns media practices with Islamic law and preserves cultural values. Gradual implementation allows for a smooth transition and ensures compliance without coercion. Unsurprisingly, the West is manipulating this decree to vilify the Taliban in a move that risks creating conflict.

Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things

Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things

Afghanistan: Taliban Ban Photos of Living Things

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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